Academy for Learning IslamThe Academy for Learning Islam (ALI) is a registered charity

committed to advancing and teaching he religious tenets, history and practices ofIslam, according to the Shi'ah Ithna 'Ashari school of thought.

It maintains a religious school of instruction for children, youths andadults. It provides both onsite and online classes, as well as a variety

ofother educational programs.

ALI also provides counseling services for people experiencing religious and social difficulties. It further has programs aimed at reaching out

to the public and creating awareness about Islam.

Prophetic Biography- Sirat al-NabiHow do we know such a man by the name of

Muhammad b. ‘Abdullah (as) existed?

Why is such an epistemic and foundational question important?

Historical religion and a historical God: A common Abrahamic dilemma that we are forced to contend with

1) The Basic Chronological and Ideological FrameworkAll Muslims agree on the fundamental

principles and historical milestones in the Prophet’s life

Mecca vs. Madina- why is this an issue?

Concept of tawatur and its importance for both Qur’an and the Sira

2) Non-Hadith AnecdotesMany companions had relics from their

battles with the ProphetCollective memory of families who had loved

ones meet and fight alongside the ProphetWhy is the collective memory/pysche an

important element?

3) The Qur’anThe most ideal and accurate source on life of

Muhammad (saws)Why is this the case and how? To what

extent?

Verses regarding Badr, Uhud, childhood of Muhammad- numerous

Ayatullah’s Subhani and Makaremshirazi contribution

Asbab al-Nuzul- a source of history

4) Poetry

Historical material replete with Poetic utterances

Gives us key information regarding the attitudes and positions of various tribes towards the Prophet

Most popular medium of expressing oneself– Arabs would compose poetry when they wished to something important

Ex.- The Imams also engaged in this discipline

The Meccan periodDate of Birth: Aprox: 570 C.E- year of the

ElephantFather- ‘Abdullah b. ‘Abd al-MutallibMother: Amina bint Wahb

Religious affiliation?

The Prodigal Child-Grand MatterSigns and Occurrences----as prelude to his delivery

Aslab (Loins) of Bani Adam- important theme أنس بن مالك، قال سمعت رسول الله )صلى الله عليه و آله(

يقول كنت أنا و علي عن يمين العرش نسبح الله قبل أن يخلق آدم بألفي عام، فلما خلق آدم جعلنا في صلبه ، ثم نقلنا من صلب إلى صلب في أصالب الطاهرين و أرحام المطهرات حتى انتهينا إلى صلب عبد المطلب ، فقسمنا قسمين فجعل في عبد الله نصفا، و في أبي طالب نصفا، و جعل النبوة و الرسالة في، و جعل الوصية و القضية في علي، ثم اختار لنا اسمين اشتقهما من أسمائه، فالله المحمود و أنا محمد، و الله العلي و هذا علي، فأنا .للنبوة و الرسالة، و علي للوصية و القضية

“ I am and you ‘Ali were postioned ( as lights) at the right of the throne of Allah, we took his praise 1000 years before he created Adam.

And When he created Adam, He [Allah] hurled/placed us in Adam’s loins, when we were transferred from one loin to another loin all of them being pure loins and pure wombs....

Until we ended up at ‘Abd al-Muttalib, at which point we were divided into two parts- one placed in the loins of ‘Abdullah and the other half in Abi Talib.....

The Qur’an: The Young Muhammad Sura 93: 3-8Context: Prolonged period without revelationAllah responds in an intimate manner to his

Prophet’s concerns“The Lord has not forsaken you, nor is he

displeased”-3لىLا قLم Lو LكM ب Lر LكLعNدLا وLمQur’an is responding to the depths of the

Prophet’s soul---it responds on his behalfLapse of revelation

6--- “Did he not find you as an orphan and give you care”

QيمPا فLاوLى“ Lت LمS يجLدSَكL ي L ل ”أ- Abdullah died before he was borne & Amina

whilst he was six years old- Why an orphan- what is the importance in

this information?- Tender years of his life----imagine the society

at the time- Powerful moment- How did he survive?- Emanation of God’s love for his Prophets

Sura Taha 38-40-Delicate infancy and childhood of Moses

“Behlod we sent a wahy to your mother ( oh Moses) the following message:

Cast the child into the chest/tabut and throw it into the river, the river will cast him up on the bank and he will be taken up by one Who is an enemy to Me And an enemy to him

But I cast a garment of love over you from me and so that you may be brought up/develop under my ( watchful) eye

نىS LَعL عLلىL عLي UصSن Qت NةP مVنىV وL ل SكL محLب SتU عLلLي لSقLي Lأ Lو

Story continues....40- “Behlod! ( Allah speaking to Moses):Your sister went forth ( ahead along the

river) and told those who recovered the child...

“ shall I show you a person who will nurse and rear the child....

“So we brought thee back to thy mother, that her eyes maybe be cooled ( from immense tears)!..”

LكVمU QلىL أ LاَكL إ جLعSن LرLف

نLَزLتح Lاَل Lا وUنهS LقLرN عLي S ت Lكى

The Dessert---Early tarbiyyatLife in the dessert----horizons of the infinite Meister Ekhart and the Soul

Life with Bedouins- why was this a necessity?

Mastery of Arabic and oral cultureEarly childhood development- life with foster

brothers- community of love and affectionGod’s Plan– requires our contemplation to

realize it

“Did he not find you lost and guided you”-93:7

ىLدLهLف Z وL وLجLدLَكL َضLااَلPossible meanings of dalan----misguided, lost, in a state of

error, or roaming ( without sense of direction)و تقول: َضللت مكاني إذا لم تهتد له: و َضل Kitab al-’Ayn- “ I lost my position.”- When– .إذا جار عن القصد

he is not directed to it that is.When someone swerves from the path or destination

Hadith: اLهSذUخS Lأ Sي LهU فLل Nت UمS َضLال LحLدUك UمLا وLجLدL أ Sُث ي LحLف QنQمSْؤUمS NةU ال SمLةU َضLال SحQك ال- Wisdom is the lost property of the mu’min

24 interpretations- Fakhr din al-Razi tafsir al-qur’an bi l-qur’an- Interpretation of the Qur’an by

the Qur’an

Points of Reflection...“He (Musa) said: Our lord is that who gave

everything its creation then guided it.” Taha :50

دىLه NمU SقLهU ث ل Lخ aٍءSي Lش NلU LعSطى ك Lا الNذي أ Mن ب Lر Lقال“You were not aware of what the book nor

faith ( iman)يمLان Sااَل Lاَل Lو UابL Qت Sك LدSرQى مLا ال UنتL ت مLا ك

but we made it a light by which we may guide whom we wish from amongst our servants and indeed you (Muhammad) guide (people) to a straight path.... Shura:52

“We have related you [Muhammad] the best of stories by what we have revealed to you through this Qur’an, surely prior to this you were from amongst the unaware ( of it- the Qur’an)”-Yusuf, 3

SَغLافQلQين LمQنL ال QهQ ل Sل UنتL مQن قLب Qن ك وL إ

Imam al-Sajjad (as)-----Dua Abi Hamza-“ I am the misguided/lost one that you

guided.– أنا الضال الذي هديته

Dua Arafat---

“ And he found/discovered you impoverished and enriched you” 93:8

نىSْغL وL وLجLدLَكL عLائالP فLأThe Meccan life of Muhammad took a

decisive turn...

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